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Connecting Your OpenAI Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Log in to the OpenAI Platform

The API platform is separate from the standard ChatGPT interface, though you use the same login credentials.

  • Visit the URL: Go to platform.openai.com.
  • Sign In: Click Log in in the top-right corner.
  • Authentication: You can use your existing OpenAI/ChatGPT account, or sign in via Google, Microsoft, or Apple.

2. Navigate to the API Keys Section

Once you are logged into the dashboard, you need to find the key management area.

  • Look at the Sidebar: On the left-hand menu, look for the “API keys” icon (it looks like a small key).
  • Alternative Path: If the sidebar is collapsed, click on the Dashboard or the Gear icon (Settings) in the top-right, then select API keys from the sub-menu.

3. Generate Your Secret Token

Now you can create the key (aka the “secret”) that StriveKit will use to for your account only.

  • Create Key: Click the + Create new secret key button.
  • Configure (Optional):
    • Name: Give it a descriptive name (e.g., “StriveKit”) so you know who is using this key.
    • Project: If you use “Projects” to organize your work, select the correct one.
    • Permissions: For most apps, “All” is the default. If you want to limit what this specific key can do (e.g., only allow it to use DALL-E but not GPT-4), you can set restricted permissions here.
  • Generate: Click Create secret key.

4. Save Your Key (Crucial!)

  • Copy the Key: A pop-up will appear showing your key (starting with sk-...). Copy it immediately.

Warning: For security reasons, OpenAI will never show you this key again after you click “Done.” If you lose it, you will have to delete it and create a new one.

5. Link to StriveKit

Now that you have your secret key copied to your clipboard:

  1. Log in to your StriveKit dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Account Settings.
  3. Locate the section labeled AI Provider Keys.
  4. Paste your key into the OpenAI input field.
  5. Click Save Changes.

⚠️ Important: The “Billing” Requirement

Even if you have a ChatGPT Plus ($20/mo) subscription, it does not cover API usage. To make your API key actually work:

  1. Go to Settings > Billing.
  2. Click Add to credit balance.
  3. Add a minimum of $5.00. Without a positive credit balance it will not work.

At the time of writing generating a plan will cost on average about $0.05 of this balance.